$1.99 eBook deal for "Dukes Prefer Blondes"

Earlier this month we had a deal for the audio version of Dukes Prefer Blondes, the fourth book in my Dressmakers trilogy (I know). For the rest of this month, the eBook is on sale in the U.S. and Canada for $1.99. If you haven’t yet read the story of Lady Clara Fairfax and barrister “Raven” Radford, or want to introduce a friend to the Dressmakers series, this month is a good time to do so, at a bargain rate.

During my visit to London last year, I was excited to find the house I’d stolen for my obnoxious hero’s parents. You can see photos of the place in the blog post I did at the time, after a visit to Richmond. I also posted a short video on Facebook and Instagram.

Happy Valentine's Day & A Save-the-Date

Valentine’s Day entry from Hone’s Every-Day Book, originally published in 1825-26:

Two hundred thousand letters beyond the usual daily average, annually pass through the twopenny post-office in London on St. Valentine's Day. “Two hundred thousand twopences,” said an old gentleman as he read this in a March newspaper, “are four hundred thousand pence,” and he was going to cast up the amount—"Why, papa," said his daughter, "that's just the number of young folks there must be in love with each other that's the way to reckon." "Ah, my child, that's not the way to reckon; you have taken something into the account that has no business there: all Valentine-writers are not in love, nor are all lovers Valentine-writers; and remember, my dear girl, that as smiles on the face sometimes conceal cruel dispositions, so there are some who write Valentines, and trifle with hearts for the mere pleasure of inflicting pain."

Well, Papa isn’t wrong. And his remarks hold plot potential for a romance novel. Reading one, I believe, is a fine way to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

The exchange of notes or cards goes back to the Romans. This article from the American Antiquarian Society briefly summarizes the history. You can also click on the links to see examples of early Valentines, and discover Esther Howland, a 19th century entrepreneur from my hometown. The 1914 card I’ve used for this blog post was the front of a post card. You can read the card if you follow this link.

In other romance news, the Ashland (Massachusetts) Public Library will hold its annual Romance Festival (formerly RomCon) on 16 May. I will be there. I wouldn’t miss it for anything except a month in London, which kept me away last year. For details, please follow this link. The event is free, but you are asked to register, so that planners can make sure there’s room for everybody. You can register directly via this link.

"Dukes Prefer Blondes" $4.99 audio deal

Oops! I left out the links! Apologies.

As we prepared to leave for the annual Let’s Get Some Sun and Warm Weather journey, central Massachusetts was coping with a storm that delivered a couple of feet of snow, accompanied by not-delightful arctic temperatures. The former made a wreck of our travel plans and the latter continued long after the snows ceased. Eventually though, we made our way southward, dodging storms as we went—because the southeast U.S. had joined the We’re Freezing Here club. We New Englanders are used to snow and cold. Not that we love it: Note that some of us run away. But it’s especially hard on people unaccustomed to this level of weather brutality.

In any case, it’s not a bad time to cozy up with a book or ten. Actually, this is never a bad idea, no matter what the weather. And for the next week or so, until Valentine’s Day, you can cozy up to the Chirp Audio* edition of Dukes Prefer Blondes for a mere $4.99.

This is the fourth book in the Dressmakers trilogy (I know), featuring an obnoxious barrister known as Raven Radford and the one woman who’s up to his weight, Lady Clara Fairfax. The talented Kate Reading narrates. Beautifully. If you’ve already listened, you might want to make a Galentine’s or Valentine’s Day gift to a friend.

*Chirp audio is available in the U.S. and Canada only. No subscription is required. You sign up, that’s all, and get emails informing you about deals. Mine is not the only audio book on sale at present. You might also want to take a look at the other offerings on the main page.